Courts that hear local criminal cases:

• Richland County Courthouse
  Address: 103 W. Main Street, Olney, IL 62450. Phone 618-392-2151. Hears: all criminal, traffic, juvenile.

Illinois abolished separate city and justice-of-the-peace courts in 1964, so city courts are gone. Under 65 ILCS 5/1-2.1-1, towns may hear ordinance tickets themselves.

1. Charge, lawyer and release are set within 48 hours. Details: Local bail and release.
2. Preliminary hearing or grand jury, within 30 days if held (725 ILCS 5/109-3.1).
3. Arraignment in the courtroom.
4. Motions and plea offers.
5. Trial within 120 days if held in jail (725 ILCS 5/103-5), unless delayed by the defense.
6. A judge sets the sentence.

1. Open re:SearchIL and make a free account.
2. Choose Richland County, then enter the name.
3. You can also try Judici.
4. Or call the county clerk at 618-392-2151.

The circuit court hears both (618-392-2151). Felonies (a year or more) go to Second Judicial Circuit judges (618-392-2151). Associate judges take misdemeanors and traffic cases (625 ILCS 5). Federal crimes from Richland County go to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

For a warrant check, phone the Sheriff's Office at 618-395-7481. An open case on re:SearchIL can show a warrant. The Public Defender or your lawyer can set a date (618-392-2151).

The Fifth District Appellate Court, 14th and Main Street, Mount Vernon, IL 62864, hears local appeals. Clerk: 618-242-3120.

1. First, a motion in the court within 30 days.
2. Notice of appeal: within 30 days, to the county clerk (Rule 606).
3. Ask for the Office of the State Appellate Defender if the person cannot pay.
4. Transcripts travel to Mount Vernon (618-242-3120), then briefs are filed.
5. A loss can go to the Illinois Supreme Court by petition for leave to appeal.

For a detention order, Rule 604(h) sets a fast track. 725 ILCS 5/122-1 allows a post-conviction petition here.

Local federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois: Melvin Price U.S. Courthouse, 750 Missouri Avenue, East St. Louis, IL 62201, 618-482-9371. For someone held by the U.S. Marshals, a magistrate sets detention (East St. Louis, 18 U.S.C. 3142). The U.S. Marshals Service often uses county jails in this county; check VINELink. For federal prisoners, see the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

1. A Form I-247A detainer can be sent to the Richland County Jail.
2. The Illinois TRUST Act (5 ILCS 805/15) means this county ignores the hold request.
3. The Illinois Courthouse Civil Rights Act (705 ILCS 90) bars civil arrests of people attending court.
4. Detainees often leave Illinois; check the ICE Online Detainee Locator System.
5. Immigration consequences matter; tell the public defender or your lawyer before any plea.

A prisoner sent from the county jail goes to state intake first. Use the Illinois Department of Corrections inmate search and our Illinois state prisons guide.

Locally, juvenile court hears youth cases under 705 ILCS 405. Detained local youth go to a juvenile detention center chosen by the court. For anyone under 18, hearings are private.

• Find the person: County inmate search.
• Visits: Local visiting guide.
• Money for local accounts: money guide.
• Letters and calls to the jail at 211 West Market Street, Olney, IL 62450: our mail and phone guides.